Yet in some ways, their capitulation to an inspired Everton offered a compelling reason for sticking with Andre Villas-Boas.

He has presided over a season edging towards the disastrous, but at Goodison we could at least see why it is important he is allowed to complete the changes that have caused so many difficulties.

When Everton’s powerful performance secured a deserved second goal midway through the second half, you could almost see the white flag being hoisted by the visitors. Their surrender was abject and spoke of a need for wholesale changes.

Maybe it is harsh to single out Ashley Cole, but with his side two down, he rolled around for three minutes after a challenge then limped off. If he was injured, he should get off quick, to give his side as long as possible to come back.

That moment summed up Chelsea – a bunch of individuals looking out for themselves.

Contrast that with Manchester United last week when they trailed by three goals at Stamford Bridge, and you have every reason for wanting Villas-Boas to succeed.

Sometimes rebuilding can be painful and that was emphasised by Everton captain Phil Neville afterwards. Major surgery, he believes, is debilitating, and requires lengthy recuperation.

“You have to feel for Villas-Boas, because it looks as though they’re going through a transitional period,” said Neville. “They seem to be changing style, and when teams go through a transition as fundamental as that, it is going to take time. You are going to suffer setbacks – it’s inevitable. The most important thing is if you ask a manager to make those changes, then you’ve got to stick with him, have a belief in what he is doing.

“You’ve got to give him time to let his beliefs take hold. They’ve gone from a team that was physical and put you under pressure, played direct, to now being more of a total footballing side.

“That’s the way they want to go, but they have to grasp the idea it takes time for changes as fundamental as that to be absorbed, and for the new philosophy to shine through.”

Mind you, Villas Boas is not helping himself. He was big enough to take the blame for this latest car crash and also strong enough to accept if he doesn’t finish in the top four, he’s a goner.

When asked if he has been told that by owner Roman Abramovich, he answered: “Well, we need Champions

League qualification and that’s what we expect. The objective is first place but first place is not a real objective any more and neither is second. So Champions League qualification is the least you can ask for.”

Yet is he smart enough to compromise his principles so he stays around long enough to impose them on the club?

He could learn from his Everton counterpart. David Moyes is one of the best young managers and his greatest asset is pragmatism. He always wanted his sides to play with a slick, passing style.

Yet given the club’s resources, that has not always been possible. So he has compromised, won matches, taken the pressure off and come out with a fresh enthusiasm to instil those principles in his team. This season has been a case in point.

They were woeful early on but kept their heads above water and, with impetus gained from inspired January window signings, are now beginning to play like the old Everton again.

Moyes said: “Sometimes you have to find a way to win. I don’t think we were offering enough to the public – the crowds were down, and I wouldn’t have come to watch either, because what I was giving the supporters wasn’t enough.

“At those times, you need to find another solution but that has to come with an understanding of who we’re playing, what tactics we use. So I had to do it for that reason. Yet although we won today, we can play a lot better.”

Just as against Manchester City last week, Everton were terrific. Steven Pienaar seized on a friendly break of the ball to smash it into the roof of the net and Denis Stracqualursi raced on to Landon Donovan’s fine pass to fire home.

Moyes has found a way to win by adapting, which is in contrast with the brave intransigence of Villas-Boas, who maintained, even after this defeat, he will not compromise. You have to admire him but it could end in the sack.